"Fait mal" vs. "Fait DU mal"

Question

Paul me fait mal  vs.  Elle me fait du mal quand elle dit ça.   I understand that du is for emotional pain and à is for physical pain, so why does the first example have neither?

Maarten Kamp · Accepted Answer

Paul me fait mal …  and Elle me fait du mal … ‘me’ is the indirect object pronoun, first person singular. The 2 expressions are ‘faire mal à qqn’ and ‘ faire du mal à qqn’. Worth another look at the section on using indirect object pronouns specifically with these phrases in the lesson, and in general.

Céline Pickard · Answer

Bonjour Rebecca,
To supplent Maarten's correct answer, please find a few examples:

Paul fait mal à Marie = Paul is hurting/hurts Marie -> physical
Paul lui fait mal = Paul is hurting/hurts her -> physical

Paul fait du mal à Marie = Paul is hurting/hurts Marie -> emotionally
Paul lui fait du mal = Paul is hurting/hurts her -> emotionally

I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !